Ann Arbor Family Mediation & Arbitration Services

Faupel Musser Love, P.C. offers mediation, arbitration, and parenting coordination services. The firm can represent clients in mediation or arbitration. We also have attorneys who are trained mediators and can offer parenting coordination services.

The Michigan statutes controlling mediation, arbitration, and parenting coordination have provisions in them relating to domestic violence. Mediators are required to “screen” cases for domestic violence. If there has been domestic violence in a case, then mediation might not be appropriate. If mediation does take place in this sort of case, the mediator must protect the victim during the process. There are also provisions in the domestic arbitration statute and the parenting coordination statute relating to domestic violence. A Guardian ad litem (GAL) or a lawyer GAL for the child might be ideal in a case of domestic violence, especially if one party denies the violence and/or there is an issue as to the impact on the child.

Generally, mediation is confidential and non-binding. Parenting coordinators can make recommendations to the court. Arbitration can result in a binding outcome that cannot be appealed.

Parties can agree to have an impartial arbitrator decide the issues in their case. Michigan statutes MCLA 600.5070 et seq set forth the conditions for arbitration. The arbitrator must be an attorney. Sometimes the rules of evidence are relaxed. Whi…
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The Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.411) permit a judge to order mediation in a domestic relations case. Parties can agree to a mediator or pick a mediator from a court-approved list of mediators. Mediators are not required to be attorneys; however, they…
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Parenting coordination is a relatively new process. The Michigan Legislature adopted MCLA 722.27c to address parenting coordination, which is now part of the Child Custody Act. Parenting coordination is ordered by the court, but the court can only …
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Often a court will want an objective person to be the “eyes and ears” of the court. The judge decides cases while sitting on the bench in the courtroom. A guardian ad litem, however, can go to someone’s home; go to a school; interview witnesses…
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While a guardian ad litem does not need to be an attorney, there is a class of guardians ad litem who must be an attorney. These guardians are called “lawyer guardians ad litem” or lawyer GALs.
When Is a Lawyer Guardian Ad Litem Appointed?
The Ju…
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